China deploys warships near Taiwan after President Tsai meets US House Speaker

China on Thursday deployed warships through the waters around Taiwan as it vowed a “firm and forceful” response to Taiwanese President Tsai Ing-wen’s meeting with US House Speaker Kevin McCarthy, Channel News Asia (CNA) Had eaten informed of. McCarthy, the third-highest ranking official in the US leadership hierarchy, met with Tsai on Wednesday at the Ronald Reagan Presidential Library in Simi Valley, California, along with other Republican and Democratic lawmakers. The CNA reported that China had repeatedly warned both sides that the meeting should not take place and that it also deployed an aircraft carrier through Taiwan’s southeast waters just hours before the talks. Taiwan’s Ministry of National Defense said on Thursday morning that three additional warships had been detected in the waters separating the island from mainland China. According to the ministry, an anti-submarine helicopter had also crossed the island’s air defense identification zone, reports CNA. And China deployed Coast Guard ships for unusual patrols, which Taiwan protested. The CNA reported that despite ruling Taiwan separately for more than 70 years, China views it as part of its territory and has vowed to one day annex it if necessary. China held its largest-ever air and sea drills around Taiwan since a visit to the island by McCarthy’s predecessor, Nancy Pelosi, in August last year. After this, China deployed warships, missiles and fighter aircraft in the waters and skies around Taiwan. The CNA reported that its response to McCarthy’s meeting has been very low-key so far, but Taiwan has been left on high alert nonetheless. Taiwan’s defense minister described the timing of the deployment of Shandong, one of two Chinese aircraft carriers, as “sensitive”. Chiu Kuo-cheng, Minister of National Defense of the Republic of China, told reporters, “When an aircraft carrier comes out, there is usually takeoff and landing for planes, but we haven’t received any takeoff or landing. We’ll keep watching.” ” China has sent its aircraft carriers to Taiwan before and at similar sensitive times. CNA reported that in March last year, just hours before talks between the Chinese and US presidents were to take place, Shandong passed through the Taiwan Strait. Chiu said the US aircraft carrier USS Nimitz is also about 400 nautical miles east of Taiwan. “It cannot be said that it is here for us, but as soon as this situation happened – it is all related,” he said. The US Navy did not immediately respond to a request for comment. Tsai’s trip to California was technically a stop after a trip to Latin America to see the dwindling band of Taiwan’s two official diplomatic allies. China had issued repeated warnings ahead of the Tsai-McCarthy meeting and issued another stern rebuke on Thursday afternoon. “China will take firm and resolute measures to firmly safeguard national sovereignty and territorial integrity,” Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Mao Ning said at a regular briefing. China’s Defense Ministry condemned the McCarthy meeting but did not threaten specific action. In a statement, the CNA said, “The Chinese People’s Liberation Army carries out its duties and missions, maintains a high level of vigilance at all times, resolutely safeguards national sovereignty and territorial integrity, and safeguards peace and stability in the Taiwan Strait.” maintains.” informed of. McCarthy had originally planned to go to Taiwan himself, but instead opted to meet Tsai in California. The decision was seen as a compromise that would underscore support for Taiwan but avoid stoking tensions with China. McCarthy said after meeting Tsai that a shared belief in freedom and democracy underpinned a relationship that was “a matter of deep importance to the free world”. According to the CNA report, McCarthy pledged to continue US arms sales to Taiwan, angering the Chinese leadership, which he said was a proven strategy to ward off aggression. “And from what we know through history, the best way to do that is to supply weapons that allow people to prevent war,” he said. “It’s an important lesson we learned through Ukraine, that in the future just the idea of sanctions is not going to stop anyone” who wants to wage war. An eight-member US congressional delegation also arrived in Taiwan on Thursday for talks on trade and security – such visits have increased in recent years. Ko Cheng-heng, deputy head of Taiwan’s National Security Bureau, told lawmakers on Thursday that he did not expect a strong response from China like Pelo.